Renting Privately
Finding a home that you can afford to rent doesn't have to mean finding social housing. There are more properties available in the private rented sector.
A private landlord is someone who owns one or more properties that they rent out to tenants.
There are many advantages to renting privately:
- There are no waiting lists, so you'll be able to move in quickly
- You can choose exactly where you want to live
- There are many different types of property available, from one-bedroom studio flats to houses big enough for large families
- The properties will usually be well decorated and carpeted; this is often not the case with social housing.
- The properties often come with a fridge, freezer and washing machine
- If you're on a low income, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit which will cover some or all of your rent
The GOV.UK website has a useful guide for people looking to rent privately.